The real estate office was warm and cluttered, run by a selkie named Margaret who’d lived in Calamity Creek since she was a child. She looked up as we entered, her smile widening.
“Geoff! I heard you played hero during the storm.” Her eyes shifted to Maya, assessing. “And you must be Maya. Welcome to town, dear. Though I hear you’ve been settling in already?”
There was something in her tone, not quite disapproving, but knowing. Pointed.
“Marco has a big mouth,” I muttered.
“Marco’s girlfriend is my niece. Word travels fast in a small town. Even though I’d usually blame Marco for running his mouth, it wasn’t him. Credit where credit’s due and all.” Margaret pulled out a folder. “Now, let’s get you signed in. The apartment’s all ready. Power’s on, heat’s working, everything’s in order.”
While Maya reviewed the paperwork, I noticed Margaret watching us. Specifically, watching how close I stood to Maya, how my hand rested on the small of her back, how we moved in sync even in the small space.
“So,” Margaret said conversationally, “you two know each other?” She pinned me with her stare. “I didn’t know you knew many people outside of town, Geoff.”
“We’re friends,” Maya said, not looking up from the contract. She had the pen in her hand, reading every word. “Gaming friends. Online.”
“Ah. And now not-online.” Margaret’s smile was pleasant but her eyes were sharp. “How nice.”
I felt Maya tense beside me. “Is there a problem?” I asked, letting some steel into my voice.
“No, no. Just making conversation.” Margaret shuffled some papers. “It’s just that Geoff here has been quite the hermit. And now he’s coming into town with a human girl he barely knows, looking very familiar with each other.”
“We’ve known each other for three years,” Maya said quietly, scribbling on the last page.
“Online,” Margaret emphasized. “Which isn’t quite the same, is it?”
“Margaret.” My voice came out harder than intended. “Maya’s personal life is none of your business. And for the record, neither is mine.”
“Of course, of course. I’m just thinking of you, dear.” She handed Maya the keys. “Monsters and humans can make it work here, certainly. But it takes time, understanding. Rushing into things can lead to complications.”
Maya took the keys without a word, her face carefully blank. “Thank you for your help.”
We left the office, and I felt her withdraw slightly as we stepped onto the street. People were out doing their shopping, and I saw heads turn as we passed. A few people called out greetings to me, mostly my search and rescue teammates, the owner of the gaming store, and Seraphina from the coffeeshop.
“Geoff! Glad you made it through the storm okay!”
“Hey man, heard you pulled off another rescue. Nice work!”
“Is that the girl you saved? Lucky lady!”
Every greeting was friendly, congratulatory even. But I noticed the looks that followed. Curious, assessing, sometimes concerned. And every single one of them studied Maya like she was a problem to be solved.
“Everyone’s very friendly,” Maya said, her voice low.
“They mean well.”
“I’m sure they do.”
We stopped by the general store for groceries, and that’s where things got worse. Pauline, who ran the register, was a harpy with a tendency toward gossip. She took one look at us, at our body language, at the way I kept touching Maya unconsciously, and her eyes lit up. She’d have some juicy details to spread around town today. Maya and I would be the talk of the town for a while.
“Well, well, Geoff. This must be your houseguest.” Pauline rang up our items with exaggerated slowness. “Word around town is you’ve been keeping each other company during the storm.”
“Word should mind its own business,” I said flatly.
“Oh, come on. You know I don’t mean anything by it! It’s only a bit surprising, that’s all. You’ve always been so private. And now here you are with a human girl, all cozy-like, when you’ve barely known her a week.”
“Three years,” Maya corrected, her voice tight. “We’ve known each other for three years.”
“Online, yes, I heard. That’s not quite the same as really knowing someone though, is it?” Janet bagged the groceries with unnecessary force. “I just hope you're being careful, honey. Geoff is a sweetheart, don’t get me wrong, but Yeti bonds are intense. You wouldn’t want to lead him on if you’re not serious.”
